Rangers close to signing Brandon Barker after missing out on Liverpool transfer
Steven Gerrard has confirmed Rangers are close to signing Manchester City youngster Brandon Barker after missing out on Ryan Kent.
Kent scored six goals in 27 Scottish Premiership matches during a loan spell at Ibrox last season and Gerrard has admitted the club tried to secure his services once again.
Rangers to sign Barker: Five key things to know…
- Rangers had tried to secure Ryan Kent on loan once again this season.
- But Jurgen Klopp was only willing to listen to permanent offers.
- As a result, Rangers have had to seek out other targets.
- They have turned their attention to Man City’s Brandon Barker.
- Gerrard confirmed Barker is having a medical ahead of a potential free transfer.
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However, Jurgen Klopp was unwilling to allow Kent to leave Anfield on loan again and preferred a permanent deal, meaning Rangers have had to explore other targets.
Now, it appears they’ve settled on 22-year-old Barker, who has made just one senior appearance for Man City despite being at the club since 2004.
Speaking after Rangers’ 4-2 Europa League qualifying win over FC Midtjylland, Gerrard said: “We haven’t signed Brandon yet. He is having a medical. It’s close. Would that be it in terms of the squad? Who knows.
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“I don’t think it is a secret we tried to get Ryan Kent to return. Liverpool knew how much wanted the player to come back.
“But I was told a week ago by Jurgen Klopp that he wouldn’t be going out on loan, so I respect that decision.
“We checked again a couple of days ago. I spoke to the technical director Michael Edwards. He made it very clear, again, that it wouldn’t be happening so we had to move in a different direction.”
After beating Kilmarnock 2-1 last week in their Scottish Premiership opener, Rangers face Hibernian at Ibrox on Sunday.
